Evolution and Revolution

August 25, 2010

The pairing of Lancair’s Evolution kitplane and Lycoming’s next-gen iE2 engine makes for easy starting and great forward speed.

The Lancair Evolution is a pressurized, all-composite kitplane designed to be powered by a turboprop engine, as you might guess from the long gear and nose. With the Lycoming TEO-540-A1A electronic ignition engine, the Evolution combines excellent airspeeds with unheard of range to create a new class of kitplane._ (Photos by: Robert Goyer)
_Robert Goyer

The TEO-540 looks like a conventional horizontally opposed aircraft engine, and it is, but it adds intelligent electronic ignition to the mix for even temps, excellent fuel economy, dirt simple starting and smooth operation.

The Evolution, which was not, contrary to some reports, intended for certification, nonetheless flies very nicely. The good sized tail, no doubt, is a major contributor to that fact.

The long, wide-chord ailerons give the Evolution pleasing responsiveness at slower speeds and higher stick forces at higher speeds, just as it should be.

Oval windows and slick lines tell the tale. The Evolution is fast and sleek. It's also remarkably roomy, with excellent head and shoulder room up front and in back.

Lycoming's approach to next-gen design is in perfecting the previous-gen design. The TEO-540 takes all the best parts of existing piston aircraft engine design -- big bore cylinders, a slow-turning crank and prop and a flat layout -- and combines it with advanced electronic ignition for better performance and reliability.